snowcat tours durango co

Purgatory Snowcat Adventures

• 1 Skier Pl, Durango, CO 81301
• Tel: (970) 247-9000

With access to over 35,000 acres of expansive terrain in the San Juan backcountry, Purgatory Snowcat Adventures (formerly San Juan Untracked), offers an exceptional backcountry experience to skiers and riders, From wide open bowls, steep trees, rolling glades to to expansive cliffs, chutes, gullies and trees blanketed in abundant snowfall, your day of snowcat skiing or snowboarding will be unforgettable.

General Overall

• Wheelchair Accessible:
• Complimentary Wifi:
• Exercise Facility:
• Indoor and/or Outdoor Pool:
• Laundry Facilities:
• Military Discount:
• On Site Parking:
• Outdoor Pool:
• Shuttle Service:

Facility Info

Sleeping rooms.

• Accessibility

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Snowcat Skiing

Join us for an unforgettable experience exploring 35,000 acres of breathtaking terrain.

Purgatory Snowcat Adventures runs the largest cat skiing operation in Colorado, with 35,000 acres of breathtaking terrain, outside of the resort boundaries. Guests can expect an average of 6-8 runs and 7,000′-9,000′ of vertical depending on skier ability and terrain conditions. With exceptional views of the Northern and Southern San Juan Mountains all to yourself, this will be a day of skiing you’ll remember forever!

Your day of snowcat skiing or snowboarding includes avalanche gear, lunch and water (bringing your own water bottle is recommended). Morning orientation begins at 8:00am in the Purgatory Snowcat Adventures office located in the Village Plaza. Our highly trained guides will make an assessment of up-to-date snow conditions and skier ability to choose from three primary zones in our 35,000-acre terrain area. Skiers must be comfortable skiing black diamond runs consisting of deep powder, tight trees, steep pitches and unmarked hazards.

Ability Level (read before requesting a trip)

• You should be in good physical condition. You will be skiing and boarding deep powder at high elevations (all of our runs are at or above 10,000 feet).
• We do not groom any runs. We cannot predict weather or snow conditions weeks in advanced of your reserved day, so come prepared to ski or ride anything. While we do our best to find powder every run, we might have to ski or ride areas of variable snow to the powder stashes below. Our runs occasionally funnel into narrow drainages with drops and obstacles.
• All skiers/ riders must be strong intermediate to advanced ability level.  Anyone significantly slowing down the pace of the group may be asked to sit out certain runs with no refund offered.  Expect to ski in all terrain types including gladed to tight trees.
• Most of our best powder skiing and riding is in the trees!
• We ski and ride powder! Lots of it. (Except in spring, when we ski and ride corn, and even then we will surprise you with a powder stash or two, or three, or more).
• If you are expecting to ski or ride nearly vertical chutes and send 50-foot airs every run, you will be disappointed. Occasionally, and mainly in spring, we are able to ski and ride this kind of terrain when conditions and group abilities allow. So, if you are this type of skier or rider with this ability we suggest you book a private snowcat for your group, and we’ll do our best to make your dreams come true.
• Remember, skiers and snowboarders often beat the snowcat down by a few minutes. Usually, slower skiers and riders do not slow down the pace or amount of runs for a group. What can slow down a group is gearing up, buried or lost skis due to falls, faulty equipment, or not following the guides’ directions.

Your Ticket to Untracked Powder

With access to over 35,000 acres of expansive terrain in the San Juan backcountry, Purgatory Snowcat Adventures’ Highly trained guides choose from 500-1500 foot runs on light, untracked powder through trees, glades, and open bowls of varying pitch.

Meet the Team

We took advantage of this opportunity to write bios for our guides and turned it into a team-building exercise. Each member pulled a name out of a hat and wrote a short description of that coworker. We hope you enjoy this off-the-cuff, fun approach to telling you about our team!

The fine print

• Reservations are required and must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
• Trips canceled 30 days or more in advance will receive a refund less a 25% booking fee or the option to reschedule the trip for during the same season for no fee 
• Trips canceled less than 30 days in advance will receive no refund but can reschedule their trip for another date in the same season for a $100  fee . 
• There will be no refunds or changes in reservation made 7 days prior to trip. 
• No refunds will be given for late arrivals or no shows.
• Purgatory Snowcat Adventures reserves the right to cancel a trip at any time due to weather, safety concerns or mechanical issues. Refunds and the option to reschedule are at the discretion of PSA and on a trip-by-trip basis
• Minimum of 5 guests are required for snowcat skiing trips to operate. 
• For more information contact us at (970) 385-2115  or  [email protected] .

Our terrain

We do not ski or ride in terrain immediately adjacent to the ski area. Instead, the snowcat takes you deep into the San Juan backcountry. Our permitted area lies to the north (including Grayrock and Graysill Mountains) and west of Purgatory (including Hotel Draw and Scotch Creek). Cascade Creek is our eastern boundary and the East Fork of Hermosa Creek is our southern boundary.

With expansive acreage, consistent temperatures, and an average 300+ inches of snow annually, we enjoy cold, light untracked powder weeks after the last storm. We have the freedom to choose from various terrain types and elevations to ensure the best possible powder experience. Runs vary in length from 500 feet to almost 1,500 vertical with an elevation range between 10,000 and 12,300 feet.

Terrain ranges from expansive bowls to steep, tight trees, open cruiser glades, undulating gullies and windlips. A short hike accesses chutes and there are cliffs and cornice jumps as well. Our trees range from nicely spaced old-growth spruce to regenerated Forest Service clear cuts, where the sapling-size trees can be tight.

On stormy days we typically ski and ride trees where the visibility is better. Storms can also create some uncertainty with snowpack. The snowpack in the San Juan Mountains always requires careful and constant observation and skier safety is our number one concern. When storm systems clear out and snow conditions have been properly assessed, we have more options and often head up to the high alpine areas to ski and ride more open terrain. 

Purgatory Snowcat Adventures employs only the highest trained backcountry guides and snowcat drivers, proficient in avalanche awareness and wilderness rescue techniques. Observing the snowpack and weather conditions is a full-time job that our guides take very seriously. Skier safety is of primary importance at Purgatory Snowcat Adventures. Many of our guides have been on board for 10 or more years. They know the best possible lines in each zone and are happy to share the goods. Our guides keep detailed records of terrain skied between storms to allow for untracked powder every time.

Pro tip: What to wear

TOP A single base layer (or 2 if you run cold) under A down insulator with A shell on the outside (Many ski jackets are waterproof, breathable and compact, allowing lots of layers underneath.)

BOTTOM Synthetic underwear (NOT cotton) A base layer (or 2 if you run cold) under Waterproof pant shell Ski socks (liners optional)

ACCESSORIES Buff!!! Gloves/mittens (Plus possibly extra gloves. Everything gets soaked on a heavy snowfall day.) Helmet! (Plus a warm hat or ear warmer if you want to take your helmet off between runs.) Goggles

Pro tip: What to bring

• Snacks (You’ll be burning more calories than you’re used to at the resort)
• Water Bottle
• Extra Lenses, 2nd pair of goggles or cleaning clothes (goggles often fog or fill with snow)
• Hand / Toe Warmers
• Stoke! 

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Purgatory Snowcat Adventures – Durango

Purgatory Snowcat Adventures offers the largest backcountry playground for snowcat skiing in Colorado. They operate on 35,000 acres in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado.

Formerly San Juan Untracked, Purgatory Snowcat Adventures provides access to a range of terrains including vast bowls, steep glades, rolling cruiser trees, gullies, cliffs, and chutes. The 500-2500 foot runs are untracked and the powder is deep.

Backcountry Snowcat Skiing in Durango

Your snowcat trip includes avalanche gear, lunch, and experienced guides to navigate the landscape and point you to the epic lines. Trips depart from Purgatory Resort at 8 am throughout the winter season. Before you begin there’s a brief safety lesson, before departing via snowcat to the backcountry. Trips return at 4:30 pm.

Skiers and snowboarders must be able to ski steep terrain, deep powder, and tight trees. You can book a private snowcat tour for up to 12 of your closest friends and family.

Address: 49617 US-550, Durango , CO

Phone: 970-385-2115

Season: December – March

Website: purgatory.ski…

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